Inside: A local mom review of Zoo Knoxville with all the tips and details you need for your visit.
If you’re looking for a day of fun in Knoxville, Tennessee, Zoo Knoxville is WILDly fun! You can spend a whole day here and not run out of things to do. In this guide to Knoxville, TN’s zoo, one local mom shares her favorite exhibits, plus tips and things to remember so you’ll have the best visit with your family. Use our guide to plan your trip to the zoo in 2026!
About Zoo Knoxville
The 53-acre zoo is in East Knoxville, about 13 minutes from Downtown Knoxville. There are around 1,500 animals to see and learn about throughout the zoo. When we moved to Knoxville, I took my kids to the zoo and was immediately sold on a membership simply because of how much there was to do. We visit several times a month and never tire of spending time here. Most families spend between 4–6 hours exploring the zoo, splash pad, rides, and play areas.
Stay Near Zoo Knoxville
Coming from out of town? Book a vacation rental or hotel near Zoo Knoxville. Use the map below with options nearby to find the perfect place to stay.
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Zoo Knoxville Tips & Things to Know
Before you visit, here are a few tips from a frequent Zoo Knoxville visitor:
Hours, Rules & Ticket Information:
- Zoo Knoxville Hours: Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
- Parking is $5 and free for members. Memberships pay off!
- You can bring your own food & drinks to the zoo but glass containers and straws are not allowed. Or you can enjoy one of their 5 eateries if you don’t want to pack a lunch.
- Ticket Pricing:
- Members: Free
- Adults: $26.95
- Children (3-12): $21.95
- Seniors ages 65+: $21.95
- College Student with ID: $21.95
- Children 2 and under: Free
- Active Military & Veterans: Free
- Firearms are not permitted on Zoo Knoxville grounds.
- Zoo Knoxville is a vape and smoke-free campus.
Accessibility Features in the Zoo:
- Wheelchair, strollers, and scooter rentals start at $12+
- Sensory bags are located at the front desk
- Quiet Zones (Located at the Barn Loft & Painted Dog areas)
- Headphone Zones (Located at the Kid’s Cove, Wee Play Adventure & Safari Splash)
- There are bathrooms throughout the park with changing stations.
Things to See at the Knoxville Zoo
Now that we’ve covered hours, rules, accessibility, and parking, let’s jump into all the exhibits & fun things to do at Zoo Knoxville.
What Animals are at Zoo Knoxville?
Zoo Knoxville has 12 habitats you can enjoy across the zoo. Grab a map of the zoo when you purchase tickets and plan a route that works for you.
Habitats include:
The ARC (Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Campus): This newer building is so neat to explore as it features Joe the sloth, lots of turtles, gigantic snakes (even a Reticulated Python), crocodiles, and more! This exhibit is mostly indoors but you can view the turtles outside as well.
Black Bear Falls: At Black Bear Falls, you can watch the North American Black Bears sleep, play, and interact. There is a large tunnel (resembling a bear cave) that will take you right up to their enclosure so you can get the best view of what they’re up to. This is an indoor/outdoor exhibit.
Boyd Family Asian Trek: Here you can laugh as beloved Georgie the Gibbons monkey swings in his enclosure, watch the Malayan Tigers take their afternoon nap, and admire the many Langurs swinging across their enclosure.
Chimp Ridge: This habitat is solely for the beautiful & majestic Chimpanzees. This enclosure is large and contains several viewing areas depending on where the chimps are hanging out for the day.
Clayton Family Kid’s Cove: This habitat contains many farm animals that you would find on a farm. The Kids Cove contains turkeys, raccoons, goats, beavers, guinea hogs, and more. This habitat also includes a small wading stream (best for toddlers), the Clayton Cabin playground, a large sandbox, and animal interactions.
Clayton Otter Creek: This habitat might be my favorite. You can watch the North American River Otters splash and play in their large water habitat. They are very active and are a popular exhibit at Zoo Knoxville.
Gorilla Valley: Gorilla Valley is another large habitat that houses beautiful Western Lowland Gorillas. They like to hang out in their indoor enclosure but often run through their large open-air enclosure. Zoo Knoxville recently welcomed a baby western lowland gorilla — the zoo’s first gorilla birth in nearly a decade — making Gorilla Valley an especially exciting stop for families visiting in 2026.
Grasslands Africa: A safari in Knoxville? Yes! You can see elephants, giraffes, white rhinos, and zebras! This area is all open-air and the animals are usually easily visible. Zoo Knoxville recently expanded its rhino conservation efforts with a newer southern white rhino habitat that opened to guests in 2025. Visitors can now see multiple endangered southern white rhinos as part of the zoo’s growing conservation program.
Pilot Flying J Wee Play Adventure: Here your preschool & elementary-aged kiddos can play on the indoor playground surrounded by a Komodo dragon, lizards, snakes, and more. This area features a sandbox, slide, and baby playspace.
The Boyd Family Red Panda Village: This habitat features fuzzy and sleepy red pandas. They like to sleep high up in their nets in the trees so be sure to look up when you visit.
Tiger Forest: This habitat is solely for the Malayan Tigers. Zoo Knoxville has a breeding facility for the endangered Malayan tigers.
Valley of The Kings: Here you can see the African Lions and Baboons. They are in two separate enclosures located near the Clayton Safari Splash Pad.
Clayton Safari Splash Pad
During the spring & summer months, you can cool off after a long walk around the zoo at Clayton Safari Splash Pad. This is included in your admission ticket so no need to pay extra! The splash pad typically opens in mid-May each year and stays open through Labor Day weekend, weather permitting. This area offers a gift shop, changing areas, and picnic tables to sit and watch your kids splash.
More Things to Do At Zoo Knoxville
Additional Fun Activities (Prices for extra activities may change):
- Take a ride on the carousel located near the Clayton Family Kid’s Cove. Rides are $5 for visitors and $2 for annual pass holders.
- Zip through the trees on the Soaring Eagle Zipline. This is a tandem zip ride. Single rides start at $13 per rider.
- Take a spin on the Zoo Choo Train. Rides are $5 per ride.
- They offer animal encounters (find the schedule on the Zoo Knoxville website).
- Adult & child zoo camps available
Seasonal Events at Zoo Knoxville
Zoo Knoxville hosts seasonal events and special exhibits throughout the year, including Boo at the Zoo, holiday lights experiences, educational programs, animal encounters, and conservation-focused events. Check the official Zoo Knoxville events calendar before your visit for the latest happenings and limited-time attractions.
You can find a calendar of events, ticket information, and more on Zoo Knoxville’s website.
FAQ: Visiting Zoo Knoxville
How much are tickets to Zoo Knoxville?
General admission tickets to Zoo Knoxville are currently $26.95 for adults and $21.95 for children ages 3–12 and seniors ages 65+. Children under 2 are free. Zoo members receive free admission. Zoo Knoxville adds a $2 per-ticket service fee for tickets purchased at the gate, so buying online ahead of time can save money and help you skip the line.
Is parking free at Zoo Knoxville?
Parking at Zoo Knoxville costs $5 per vehicle. Parking is free for zoo members.
Can you bring food into Zoo Knoxville?
Yes. Guests are allowed to bring outside food and drinks into the zoo. Glass containers and straws are not permitted.
How long does it take to go through Zoo Knoxville?
Most families spend between 4–6 hours at Zoo Knoxville depending on whether they visit playgrounds, splash areas, rides, and animal encounters.
What are the best things to do at Zoo Knoxville with kids?
Popular family attractions include the Clayton Safari Splash Pad, Kids Cove, Zoo Choo Train, carousel, otter exhibit, giraffes, red pandas, and Wee Play Adventure indoor playground.
Is Zoo Knoxville worth visiting from Greenville, SC?
Yes. Zoo Knoxville is about a 2-hour drive from Greenville, SC, making it a popular family day trip for Upstate South Carolina families looking for a larger zoo experience with interactive exhibits and splash areas.
Does Zoo Knoxville have a splash pad?
Yes. The Clayton Safari Splash Pad is included with admission and is typically open from mid-May through Labor Day weekend.
Is Zoo Knoxville good for toddlers?
Zoo Knoxville is very toddler-friendly with stroller rentals, playgrounds, splash areas, indoor play spaces, and interactive exhibits designed for younger children.
Are there indoor areas at Zoo Knoxville?
Yes. Several exhibits and play areas are indoors including The ARC reptile building and Wee Play Adventure, making Zoo Knoxville a good option even during hot or rainy weather.
We hope you have fun at Zoo Knoxville and would love to know what you loved most about the zoo!
Zoo Knoxville
3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914
Find more super fun things to do in Knoxville, TN
Traveling from SC
Zoo Knoxville also makes a great family day trip from Greenville, SC and the Upstate area. The drive from Greenville to Zoo Knoxville takes about 2 hours, making it an easy weekend adventure for families looking for a larger zoo experience within driving distance.